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#AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues
Aging

#AgingVoices Building Awareness on Local Senior Issues

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Recently, I launched a campaign called #AgingVoices. It started from discussions in a Facebook group for folks who age at home alone with little support from family. I started the group a year ago thinking there’s got to be others in my predicament–over 55, without adult children and a spouse or partner. I hit a jackpot because people joined in droves. #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues
Every day a new set of concerns and worries become the hot topic/s for the group. And for solo agers, it’s comforting to know there are others like us. So, the group is a comfort for many. Some common worries are affordable housing, transportation, health care costs, work and isolation. Of course there are other worries that individuals share like, “I fear I’ll die alone and no one will notice.” That one is horrific but very real. #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues
Overall, we mostly worry about getting around, staying fit and healthy, and paying our bills.
That’s why I launched a campaign to fight for our aging concerns and needs, and I’m calling it #AgingVoices. The plan is to interview city and state officials and even business leaders asking for their ideas, thoughts and action plans for the “near term” on helping older residents live better. Here are the specific questions: #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues
Housing – What are city planners doing to increase easy to find housing for seniors and to make that HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE?
Transportation – Seniors need to get around. What are they doing to address this?
Financial – What type of jobs does the area have for seniors, what new ideas/opportunities do older adults have to work?
Social/Activities – What social activities, organizations, etc. are available for seniors to help deal with isolation, become more involved and offer value to the community?
Healthcare – What health care assistance/accessibility plans making it easier for aging in place strategies?
However, if you stop to think about it, these are the same worries every American has no matter the age. It’s the reason so many came out and voted this year. They’re worried sick about keeping a job, paying bills, affording health care, staying healthy, etc. But for older adults, the worries hit home harder. But as the aging population doubles over the next decades, the problems will multiply.
I think we need to take a stand and let our voices be heard — especially about the worrisome issues we face because one day each one of us will be old and probably worried about finding a ride to the doctor’s office.
If you’re game, I’d like to hear from you. What does your #AgingVoices declare? What are the greatest concerns you face? Here’s mine: “I worry that I’ll get old and stuck having little support and access to social connections in the suburbs.” Yes, it’s called isolation and the biggest reason for depression and chronic illnesses.
If this is important to you, please follow #AgingVoices, @Seniorcarequest @Carebuzz, and like us on Facebook. Check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel — the place to watch interviews. Remember, it’s all about making America a better place to age for all, especially the older family members we love and cherish. #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues

#AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues

#AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues #AgingVoices building awareness on local senior issues

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When You Feel Lonely
Aging

When You Feel Lonely

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

What to Do When You Catch Yourself Saying “I Am So Lonely”

Loneliness is a hard feeling to deal with at any age, especially during retirement. Throughout your life, there were probably times when you wanted some peace. You may have had so many people around you that you yearned for time to yourself. At that time, loneliness would have been a welcomed retreat from life. When You Feel Lonely

Now, loneliness is something very different. It feels wrong and uncomfortable. You want to be fine with it, but you cannot and that is unnerving. What can you do when you find yourself saying, “I am so lonely?” Keep reading. When You Feel Lonely

What to Do About Loneliness

A certain amount of loneliness is good for you. It should help you collect your thoughts and plan for the days ahead. It should allow you time to dream, which can make you feel great about yourself and life. Loneliness becomes a problem when you start feeling despair. Despair means you want to be around people, but there is no one around you. In addition, you do not know what to do to bring people in your life or you do not think you can. This can make you feel defeated.
The following tips can help you fight the loneliness you feel.

  • It is time to expand your social circle. Meeting new people can be difficult when you get older. There are not as many opportunities to do that as there were when you were younger, but that does not mean there are no possibilities. The best way to find new people to spend time with is to engage in activities you enjoy. For example, if you enjoy bowling, you should see about joining a league. If you enjoy playing golf, see if there are groups or clubs at a local golf course. Since you already enjoy doing those activities, you are already half way to not feeling lonely.
  • Find new activities to enjoy. You have probably been doing the same things for years. It may be time to find new activities to spark your enthusiasm. Search the Internet for crafts, projects, etc. that you believe would be fun. Depending on your personality, you may want to find little things to do or projects that take more time that you can work on for days or weeks. Find what works for you and if it takes you a few tries of different crafts and hobbies to find what you love, that is okay.
  • Come up with a schedule. Loneliness comes from boredom. To prevent feeling bored, come up with a schedule to follow each day. Start with when you wake up and plan something to do throughout the day. If you cannot think of enough things to do, start adding things such as the crafts, hobbies, and social time.
  • Become more active. Taking walks is an excellent way to keep yourself healthy AND use up some of that time that you are feeling lonely. Check with local gyms and senior centers to find out if there are any walking groups. If there are, join one. If there are none, go ahead and see if you can start one.

As you know, when you are presented with a situation you do not like, it is important to do something about it. If you do nothing, you will continue to feel the same way.
If you need additional help for your loneliness, contact Kendall Van Blarcom. He is a personal consultant who works with senior citizens and their caregivers. He can help you find out why you feel this way, and how you can keep yourself from feeling that way in the future.
When You Feel Lonely When You Feel Lonely When You Feel Lonely When You Feel Lonely When You Feel Lonely

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Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor
Caregiving

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

As the general population grows older, more and more seniors require at-home care. For the majority of seniors, that care comes from family members — their spouses, children, and grandchildren. In other cases, it comes from professional caregivers. But for some seniors it comes from friends and neighbors. Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor
According to data from the AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 1 in 10 seniors who receives at-home care considers a friend or neighbor their primary caregiver. This can happen for a number of reasons, but it most often occurs either because family members live too far away to help or because a senior is without immediate family to care for them. Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor
Some friends are close enough or comfortable enough with one another that care comes naturally. But in many cases, the transition from a friendship to a care-focused relationship can create challenges for both parties. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common challenges when friends become caregivers and how seniors — whether they’re receiving care or providing it — can manage those concerns.

Coordinating with Family

When you’re the primary caregiver for a friend or neighbor, one of the biggest challenges can be coordinating care with that person’s family. You may find that your friend/neighbor’s family members are quick to ignore your input when it comes to care decisions. In other cases, you might find that their family members take your assistance for granted, assuming you’re always available or willing to take on any responsibility they see fit.
One way to avoid these problems is to develop lines of communication early between yourself and your friend/neighbor’s family members. Let your friend or neighbor know that you’d like to exchange contact info with their family members and introduce yourself as a precaution in case of a future emergency. A quick call or email will allow you to introduce yourself, explain your relationship with the care recipient, and outline how you are becoming involved in their care. This can help open avenues of communication, making it easier to coordinate care with family members and reduce the likelihood of conflicts down the road.

Managing the Comfort Zone

Depending on the situation, becoming a caregiver for someone can push you far out of your comfort zone. That’s particularly true if you are caring for a non-family member like a friend or neighbor. If the care recipient requires assistance with personal tasks, such as dressing, bathing, or going to the bathroom, you might find these aspects of care unsettling or uncomfortable to perform.
While you shouldn’t force yourself to perform tasks that violate your personal boundaries, allowing your sense of compassion to overrule your sense of discomfort ensures that your friend or neighbor receives help that he or she truly needs. Remember that if you feel hesitant performing a task, it’s unlikely that your friend or neighbor would be asking for help if they did not absolutely need it.
If you find that the care your friend or neighbor requires has become too much for you to handle or you simply can’t get comfortable with some of the tasks required for care, it may be time to consider bringing in help from a professional caregiver. At home care agencies, like Visiting Angels, can provide assistance with a wide range of non-medical tasks and offer respite care that helps the caregiver find relief.

Medical Obstacles

One of the biggest challenges as a caregiver for a friend or neighbor can be managing the health care system. While family members have certain privileges when it comes to medical information and medical records, friends and neighbors have no such privileges. This can make it difficult to manage care for a friend or neighbor if that person suffers a major medical episode, such as a fall, stroke, or heart attack.
A simple way to remove this obstacle in advance is to have the care recipient sign an authorization that allows you to access medical information and — if needed — make medical decisions on his or her behalf. If you live in a state governed by the CARE Act, you can also have yourself listed as a person’s primary caregiver. This way, you’ll be automatically notified when the person is discharged from the hospital.
Do you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who requires at-home senior care? If so, your local Visiting Angels can help. Call your local office today to schedule a no-cost care needs assessment.

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

Providing Senior Care for a Friend or Neighbor

 

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You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
Caregiving

You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

Stepping in as a caregiver for a loved one is noble. It is selfless and kind and compassionate. Caregiving is also incredibly isolating. Caregivers get so stuck in the day-to-day care that they struggle to keep it all together and rarely have time to find support and reach out. You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
While it is difficult to figure out what caregiving support you need and reach out to family and friends for help, it is critical to your mental and physical health. Don’t try to carry the whole burden of caregiving yourself. You need to speak out and ask for help. Sometimes, people don’t know what help to offer, so they don’t jump in. If you are clear with your needs, it can be easier for others to help.
In order to build a support network, you will need to know what activities you can get help with and who can share the load. Make a list of the activities you do in a day and week and what can be done by someone other than yourself. It may feel like you are the only person who can provide care, but there are many things someone else can do that won’t alter your loved one’s care. You don’t need to be the one to grocery shop or drive them to the senior center. You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being
Here are some areas where you can bring in support:

  • Look into adult day care centers, respite care centers and other community services that could give you a break from your caregiving duties. If these options are too expensive, you can consider a trade with a fellow caregiver or enlist a friend or family member.
  • Ask a friend or neighbor for help with shopping or running errands. Perhaps they can pick up items for you while they are on their own errands. If you don’t ask, they won’t know you need them.
  • Join a support group where you can discuss ideas and frustrations with other caregivers. You may meet someone to do care trades with, or just have the opportunity to speak with people who understand exactly what you are going through. If you can’t go in person, there are online support groups you can join.
  • Seek out community resources that might give you a break.
  • Have a back-up person and plan in the event that you are sick or away. Once you have a back-up person, take a little time for yourself to make sure your system works, and to get much-needed respite. Even if you just stay one night in a local hotel, it will do you a world of good.
  • Set up a transportation system. You don’t need to be your caree’s personal taxi service. There are a number of options from friends and family to community options and private services like Taxis, Uber, Lift and local services. Figure out the types of transportation your parent needs and who can provide rides. For example, many senior centers have a free shuttle for residents. There are also city transportation services for things like trips to the grocery store or bank. If you set up a network of options, you will take a huge load off your plate.
  • Are there younger family members who you can include in the caregiving role? They can help with laundry or entertaining their grandparent. I knew a family who had their high school age daughter stay with grandma during school breaks. They cooked together, did puzzles and enjoyed each other’s company. It was wonderful for both of them.

Get creative. Think of what gets done in the day and how you can delegate some of the tasks or find shortcuts.

You Need a Caregiving Team for Everyone’s Well-being

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How to Choose the Best Home Care Agency
Caregiving

How to Choose the Best Home Care Agency

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Annually, more than eight million U.S senior citizens receive paid long-term care and it is estimated that by 2050, over 27 million elders will require such services. Yet another report revealed that nearly 70 percent of senior Americans aged 65 years and above will require long-term care at some point in life.

The senior home care sector is a dynamic service industry that is expected to grow owing to the increase in demand, convenience, and affordability. Moreover, home care helps in avoiding the high costs involved in hospitalization for seniors with chronic health issues and those recovering from accidents or illnesses.
The home care industry is highly fragmented with numerous players offering a wide range of senior care services in the form of medical and caregiver assistance. The increasing demand and number of service providers entering this market make it highly lucrative, and hence competitive. With more than 13 thousand home care agencies all over the country, it can be tough to decide which one will offer you the best service for your senior’s enhanced health and longevity.
The decision to choose a home care agency for your senior will affect everyone involved, emotionally and financially. Therefore, when you consider placing the responsibility of your beloved senior in paid caregivers’ hands, it is crucial to screen home care agencies before you go ahead.
Here are seven tips to bear in mind when selecting the right home care agency for your elder.

1. List Your Senior Care Priorities

Sit with your elder and other family members and note your senior’s care requirements. Your elder’s health condition and age will determine whether he/she requires help with activities of daily living (ADL), transportation, medical assistance, mobility training, speech therapy, special meal preparation, counseling, and/or rehabilitation.
For instance, if your senior lives in Albuquerque and needs to visit his/her doctor regularly, look for a home care agency that specializes in offering elderly care in Albuquerque with special facilities such as an escort service and a mode of transportation for your senior, especially when you aren’t around.
Determine whether you need a licensed medical caregiver or a skilled non-medical personnel who can attend to his/her basic health needs such as taking blood pressure, testing blood sugar, providing wound care, or managing a feeding tube. If that is the case check with the home care agency whether they offer home healthcare services too.
Numerous home care agencies offer both, non-medical home care and home healthcare services based on the requirements of their clients. Owing to the increasing prevalence of memory disorder in seniors, numerous agencies offer long-term skilled nurses who specialize in memory care, catering to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Home healthcare is generally prescribed by a medical practitioner when he/she deems it necessary for your senior to receive medical assistance at home. Non-medical services are not prescribed by a medical practitioner; however, you can avail them when you need support. A licensed agency is equipped with a team of professional in-home caregivers who can provide care based on your senior’s requirements.
Listing your elder’s requirements will help you choose a home care agency that offers the most relevant services for him/her.

2. Keep Your Senior’s Budget in Mind

After you have penned down the services required by your senior, determine who will pay for them. If your senior is going to fund his/her home care service, you must ensure that his/her budget can provide for it.
In case your senior is financially incapable or hasn’t planned for his/her senior care, consider buying a medical insurance policy that covers the costs. The healthcare/medical services offered to your senior can be covered by medical insurance policies like Medicare or other private medical insurance firms. However, non-medical services aren’t covered by medical policies.
Insurance firms generally cover up to 35 hours per week of elder care. Talk to your insurance advisor before buying a policy and choose the one that helps you cover most of the senior care costs. We will discuss more about your insurance options in the latter half of this post.
In case your senior needs non-medical home care and is unable to provide for it, assess your family’s financial situation and list down the possible sources of funding his/her care. Corporations generally cover care for aging parents when recruiting an employee as part of their employee health insurance scheme. Check with your/your siblings’ firms for the insurance benefits offered to their employees.
You can also seek financial assistance from senior associations, healthcare foundations, and mission and veteran organizations.

3. Research on the Type of Senior Care Offered

Your elder deserves the best-quality care from trained, responsible, and experienced professionals. Before you make a choice, research the quality of care offered by the caregivers hired by home care agencies.
Make a list of senior home care agencies in your area and inquire about their services, fee structure, and skill sets. For instance, if you are a citizen of Albuquerque, look for an agency that offers senior care in Albuquerque and check if their services cater to your requirements.
The home care agency must have adequate experience and expertise in the senior care domain. Caregivers should be able to customize their care options based on your senior’s medical condition. For instance, if your elder has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the caregiver must be qualified and experienced enough to take care of him/her and offer the relevant care to manage the basic symptoms of this movement disorder.
Caring for Someone with Advanced Parkinson’s
Visit the home care agency and meet the management and the team of caregivers. When talking about your requirements, study their behavior and personality. Take your senior along and spend time understanding their work ethos and principles.
Empathy plays a key role in the senior care domain. If the management is trying to push you into making a decision without listening to your requirements, they are merely interested in making money, not in understanding your concerns.
Pay attention to the size of the caregiver’s team too. A larger agency will be able to send a replacement staff, in case the assigned caregiver doesn’t turn up. That way you always have a backup plan ready in cases of an emergency.

4. Enquire about the Reputation of the Agency

The number of years for which the senior care agency has been around is a fair indicator of their sustained track record and satisfied clientele. Check when the agency was started and meet the team personally to understand their approach towards senior care.
Reputed senior care agencies are extremely choosy about the caregivers they hire/recruit. Their recruitment process involves screening caregivers and nurses for certifications, educational qualifications, background checks, and experience in this field. They also conduct regular training sessions to upgrade their caregivers’ caregiving skills. Ask the management to share details and supporting documents on whether their team is adequately trained and qualified for the job.
You can assess the reputation of a senior care agency by verifying with references from clinical professionals, friends, and co-workers.
A reputed home care agency will not shy away from sharing the list of their clientele. Contact a few of their clients and check whether they are satisfied with the services offered. You can also check for online reviews and ratings on the agency’s website or on review websites. For instance, you can do an online search on ‘home health care Albuquerque’, and look for agencies that have earned maximum star ratings and positive customer reviews, for their exceptional senior care services.

5. Check Whether the Agency Is Licensed

The agency you choose will assign a caregiver to your senior who will be directly responsible for his/her well-being and quality of life. Therefore, the caregiver must be an expert in his/her field, compassionate, and trustworthy.
Licensed home care agencies have to comply with the state or federal standards to ensure the safety of elders and deliver quality care to them. They are accredited by a national body and are subject to periodic inspections by law enforcement authorities. They take personal responsibility for their caregivers and review their performance regularly to meet their clients’ requirements. It is, therefore, wise to check if the home care agency possesses a valid license.
Check if the agency is hiring an independent home care provider. If yes, consider your liabilities with respect to his/her taxes, insurance, medical expenses, and other obligations. An agency that hires independent caregivers based on a contract pays them without officially documenting the income. In that case, if the caregiver defaults on his/her tax obligations, it could lead to a legal issue affecting all those involved, including you.
Another factor to consider is the injury caused to the caregiver when attending to your senior. Caregivers are at a huge risk of falls, injuries, and/or disabilities when bathing, lifting, or transferring your senior. In such cases, licensed agencies cover the medical and disability expenses of their caregivers.
Licensed home care agencies recruit their caregivers as direct employees, offering them all the above-mentioned benefits. They are responsible for conducting background checks and testing them for drug/alcohol addiction and diseases like AIDS and tuberculosis. They also offer adequate worker’s compensation, backup coverage, and appropriate training to their team.

6. Explore Your Insurance Options

Long-term senior care costs can put a huge pressure on your family’s financial security. Therefore, consider your insurance options that can pay for the services offered by the home care agencies. Buying a medical and long-term care insurance policy will help you cover most of your senior’s healthcare and in-home care expenses.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private medical insurance policies cover skilled nursing services and therapies. These include administering medications (oral or injectable), ventilator or catheter management, tube feeding, wound care, speech and occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.
Medicare also covers other aspects of your senior’s healthcare, such as medical social services, medications, and medical supplies and devices. For instance, if your senior has been diagnosed with a psychological disorder such as schizophrenia, Medicare pays for the psychiatrist’s consultation and counseling sessions.
If your senior is injured due to a fall or an accident, Medicare will pay for his/her wound dressing and other medical supplies. For senior medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and toilet aids, Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount.
A few non-medical home care services such as assistance with bathing and using the toilet are also paid in full by medical insurance policies. However, if you choose only personal home care services (non-medical) for your senior, you do not qualify for medical insurance benefits. Home healthcare is usually prescribed by a physician who deems it necessary for your senior’s well-being, comfort, and fast recovery.
Long-term care insurance policies offered by private insurance firms typically cover services that aren’t paid by Medicare. However, the premium for such policies increases with age, so it is wise to buy them as early as possible.
Before making a decision, gain information on the fee structure of the home care agency and talk to your insurance advisor to select the most suitable insurance plan for your senior.

7. Ask about the Elderly Companion Care Services

Social isolation can impact your senior’s well-being and outlook towards life. In fact, numerous studies have proven that the lack of social support coupled with loneliness can hamper a person’s mental and physical health and his/her quality of life.
With advancing age, your senior may possibly lose connection with his/her social circle, owing to the loss of spouse or close family members and the lack of outdoor activity. However, if your senior can receive a little primary emotional support and companionship from a caregiver, it can bring him/her immense comfort and psychological support.
You do not want your elder to end up spending his/her time reading or watching television all alone. Therefore, choose a home care agency that can assign a caregiver who not only provides hands-on care but also offers respite to the family caregiver and encouragement to your senior. This way, he/she will not feel isolated and have a positive outlook towards life.
Your senior may want to socialize, visit parks or supermarkets, or even go for a movie. Talk to the agency about his/her emotional and social requirements, and check if it offers companion care services to help your elder stay connected. Most home care agencies offer a different pricing package for such services, so it is wise to research before making a decision.
When selecting a home care agency, keep your senior’s interests, comfort, and safety in mind, in order to retain his/her quality of life and dignity. No one can care for your senior the way you do, which is why he/she deserves the best, especially when he/she is aging. Choosing an ideal home care service provider for your elder can be a challenging task. The aforementioned tips will help you select the perfect home care agency for your senior, helping him/her retain his/her independence.
By Evan Thompson of Senior.one
Senior.one provides information on housing, medical professionals, financial planning services, and lifestyle options. Agency How to Choose the Best Home Care Agency How to Choose the Best Home Care Agency

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Retirement Planning

Can You Afford to Age in Place

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

As many Americans are living longer these days, many may be asking themselves, can I afford to get older? Can You Afford to Age in Place
According to the Social Security Administration, the life expectancy of Americans is well into their 80’s.
We take a look at how elderly people are getting by and not breaking the bank as they age.
It’s inevitable that everyone will experience a sickness in their lifetime, but what would you do if the next time you fell ill it would bury you financially. Can You Afford to Age in Place
For many people over the age of 65 that’s just the case.
“I think that we do need to look at preparing, we have a terrible with medical expenses with seniors, we’re all really just one disease away from poverty and that’s especially true with seniors, because they don’t have a way to recoup that income,” says Shawna Wasko with the CSI Office on Aging.
While this is the case for many people there are places out there that can help seniors remain on their feet financially.
For 91 year old Peggy Mowry, one fall almost ended her financial freedom, but thanks to Hospice Visions, she has been able to remain somewhat independent.
“When I fell, I fell backwards and it took the hearing out of the left ear and my equilibrium doesn’t work well, so I had the therapy with the visions. I don’t really know the financial part, so I never received a bill of any kind,” said Mowry.
“We can provide that and also provide personal care several times a week in the home to assist them, instead of them having to pay out of pocket, or having to deal with insurances that won’t cover that,” said Lisa Schultz with Hospice Visions.
Some seniors have been financially prepared however taking care of themselves and loved ones can become difficult.
“Yes I do live here alone for the last over two years now and I’m very grateful to have the home that we’ve had for so many years here, but my husband has to be in a small care center in Boise and I go up every week or two, to see him,” said senior citizen Bonnie Barsness.
“I do like to see seniors think about, can you age in place in the home you’re in and is it time to sell the big place and get a smaller place? And, you’re able to keep care of it better,” said Wasko.
Thanks to medical technology seniors are living longer, but at what cost.
KMVT-TV / KSVT-TV

Can You Afford to Age in Place

Can You Afford to Age in Place

Can You Afford to Age in Place

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Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home
Caregiving

Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

Do you have an aging parent or grandparent who rarely leaves the house? If so, you may be worried about the emotional, mental, and physical toll that social isolation is taking on him or her. Social activity has a range of benefits for seniors, and seniors who isolate themselves often suffer from their lack of social interactions. Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home
According to data by the NIH, seniors who have social interactions more frequently are consistently healthier than more isolated seniors. Other studies have backed up these findings. Studies of highly social senior communities show that seniors who live in these communities are more mobile and more likely to practice healthy behaviors. Meanwhile, further studies have shown that social activity slows cognitive decline and lowers the risk of developing disabilities.
With so many benefits tied to social interactions for seniors, it is important to encourage social activity in the elderly. Looking for ways to get a senior loved one out of the home? Here are some suggestions and strategies you can try, with advice from Visiting Angels President and CEO Larry Meigs:

Going Out for Lunch

One way to get a senior loved one out of the house is a weekly lunch date. You could suggest organizing a regular lunch date between your loved one and their friends. If your loved one’s friends can’t make a weekly commitment, you can take the initiative of taking your loved one out for lunch yourself each week. Or you can organize taking turns with family members.
“While it might seem like a small thing, a weekly meal with friends or family at the local coffee shop can be enriching seniors — especially for those who rarely leave their homes,” says Meigs. “Being out of the house and around other people helps relieve feelings of isolation, and the weekly routine of a meal and a chat can become a valuable touchstone for isolated seniors.”

Senior Exercise Classes

Senior exercise classes are more than just a great way to get seniors out of the house, offering a range of physical, mental, and emotional health benefits. “Light exercise is key for seniors, and senior exercise classes are a great way to keep seniors active,” says Meigs.
Popular senior exercise programs include dance classes and water fitness. In addition to the exercise benefits offered, these classes are a fantastic place for seniors to meet other seniors. “These classes are an excellent social hub for the elderly because they’re specifically targeted at seniors,” says Meigs.

Game Nights & Events

“Many times, your local community center is your best ally in getting an elderly loved one socially active,” says Meigs. These centers often host game nights, like bingo games, which are a great way for an isolated senior to spend time among others. These centers also sometimes host special events that are put on for elderly community members, such as dances, dinners, and speaking series. Centers sometimes even schedule day trips or short group vacations for senior community members.

Bring Social Interactions Home

Often seniors who find themselves cut off socially aren’t isolated by choice. “Many of the seniors we care for at Visiting Angels are housebound as a result of disability or age related challenges,” says Meigs. “In cases where seniors can’t leave the home, social interactions need to be brought to them.”
If you help care for a housebound loved one, there are a number of ways that you can encourage social activity. Speak with other members of your family about visiting your loved one more frequently, or contact your loved one’s friends to have them come over once a week.
Alternatively, you may might consider care from a local home care agency. Home care services, such as those offered by Visiting Angels, offer a way to bring daily companionship into an elderly loved one’s life, along with support for activities of daily living. For a free in-home care consultation, contact your local Visiting Angels office.

Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home

Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home Getting a Senior Loved One Out of the Home

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Overcoming the Stigma Around Elderly Incontinence
Conditions & Treatments

Overcoming the Stigma Around Elderly Incontinence

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

It’s no secret that growing older comes with certain challenges. One of the most common is elderly incontinence. How common? According to the CDC, roughly half of non-institutionalized seniors experience bladder or bowel control challenges. Of those in nursing homes, more than a third of seniors experience incontinence issues each week. Overcoming the Stigma Around Elderly Incontinence
Which begs the question: if incontinence among the elderly is so common, why do we still attach such a damaging stigma to the problem? Overcoming the Stigma Around Elderly Incontinence
“The way we talk about incontinence is really, really backwards,” says Larry Meigs, Visiting Angels CEO and President, Larry Meigs. “And that’s if we talk about it at all.” Overcoming the Stigma Around Elderly Incontinence
Every day, Visiting Angels caregivers work with thousands of Americans who experience incontinence. We believe it’s time that Americans had an honest conversation about incontinence — what it means, how we think about it, and the way we treat those who experience it.

Understanding Elderly Incontinence

Millions of seniors have elderly incontinence in common. But among those millions of cases, the types and causes of incontinence vary significantly. Incontinence can be triggered by a wide array of root conditions, and it can present itself in different ways from person to person.
Many cases of incontinence are simply due to bladder or bowel muscles that have weakened over time. All of us lose muscle mass and strength as we age. It’s no surprise that the muscles we depend on for control of our bladders and bowels also suffer loss of strength.
In other cases, nervous system damage from conditions such as Parkinson’s can make it hard for seniors to control their bladders and/or bowels. Sometimes, medications for other conditions can trigger incontinence issues. And in other instances, mobility issues can prevent seniors from reaching the bathroom on time.
The ways that incontinence presents itself can be as varied as its underlying causes. Most of the time, seniors suffer from stress incontinence — small or significant urine leakages caused by laughing, sneezing, exercise, or fright. But incontinence can also be triggered by overfull bladders or bowels, by trouble getting to the bathroom, or because our bodies don’t warn us in time (or at all) about bathroom urges.

How We Think About Incontinence

Even if the causes and types of incontinence are varied, all cases share at least one thing in common: nobody who suffers from incontinence does so by choice.
Despite this, people still somehow treat incontinence as if it’s a personal failing. The problem is so widespread that it’s become the focus of academic research. In studying the stigma associated with incontinence, researchers have found that many people treat incontinence as if it’s a failure of self-control. Others have found that the stigma goes beyond incontinence, with seniors experiencing criticism from loved ones and friends for going to the bathroom more often or with more urgency than others.
This kind of stigma has a destructive effect on quality of life for incontinence sufferers. The stigma associated with incontinence has been associated with anxiety, depression, and social isolation — impacting the physical, mental, and emotional health of seniors.
Incontinence stigma makes it harder for seniors to enjoy social interactions. It deprives them of self-worth. And it decreases their chance of seeking and receiving help for health problems.
In the words of Larry Meigs: “The stigma attached to incontinence is harmful for too many seniors. As a society, we need to change the way we approach and talk about this issue.”

Reducing Stigma Around Incontinence

There’s an obvious reason why incontinence has such stigma attached to it. Put simply, most of us are uncomfortable discussing bladder and bowel functions. Because we think of these functions as embarrassing, we think of problems associated with these functions in the same way.
To overcome the stigma around incontinence, we need to be better at overcoming our embarrassment around basic bodily functions. Everybody goes to the bathroom, and anybody could one day suffer from bladder or bowel control problems. These problems might be unpleasant, but they shouldn’t be embarrassing for anyone.
That said, a shift in the way we think about incontinence won’t happen overnight. In the meantime, it’s important for each of us to take direct steps to challenge this stigma — particularly those of us who work with, live with, or are friends with sufferers of incontinence.
Here are three specific actions you can take to reduce the stigma around incontinence:

  • Be Compassionate. Think of how you speak about and react to incontinence. Consider how a person who suffers from incontinence might react to those words or reactions. Try to shape your words and actions in a way that is free of judgment and stigma.
  • Show Courage. Don’t act embarrassed about the topic of incontinence or when someone you know suffers an episode of incontinence. Instead, make an effort to speak plainly about incontinence and to treat instances of incontinence as a simple fact of life.
  • Speak Up. If you see or hear someone treating incontinence as embarrassing or stigma-worthy, speak up. Even in private conversation, challenging the stigma attached to incontinence can make a difference.

By taking these small actions, we can all play our part in making incontinence a less sensitive, stigmatized, and harmful issue. It will take time, but it will be worth it.
If you or someone you love requires assistance with incontinence, non-medical in-home care can help make the condition more manageable. For a free in-home care consultation, contact your local Visiting Angels office.
For incontinence products sent to your home discreetly, shop at Senior.com! Free shipping every day.

Overcoming the Stigma Around Elderly Incontinence

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Winter Activities for Senior Citizens
Healthy Living

Winter Activities for Senior Citizens

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

The cold weather can keep many senior citizens indoors. If you’re feeling the isolation that the winter months often bring, consider the following to get you through it. Winter Activities for Senior Citizens

45 Winter Activities for Seniors:

  1. Visit a senior center.
  2. Meet a friend for hot coffee.
  3. Go to a friend’s house for a visit.
  4. Invite friends over to your home for coffee/tea and sweets.
  5. Make holiday gifts.
  6. Color in adult coloring books.
  7. Work on puzzles.
  8. Do the daily crossword.
  9. Set up a warm bath with spa salts.
  10. Prepare a hot cup of hot cocoa.
  11. Make baked goods for friends.
  12. Play games online.
  13. Connect with people on social media.
  14. Try a new recipe.
  15. Play or learn how to play a musical instrument.
  16. Listen to music.
  17. Read a book.
  18. Watch a new show.
  19. Volunteer somewhere like a hospital.
  20. Call a friend.
  21. Call a family member.
  22. Exercise
  23. Journal
  24. Organize drawers.
  25. Schedule doctor appointments.
  26. Plant indoor plants.
  27. Welcome a pet.
  28. Join a book club.
  29. Watch YouTube videos for craft lessons.
  30. Go bowling.
  31. Go to a gym.
  32. Visit a bookstore.
  33. Go to the library.
  34. Scrapbook old photos.
  35. Pet sit someone else’s pet.
  36. Volunteer at a pet shelter.
  37. Arrange a trip for the spring or summer.
  38. Go through your clothes and donate ones you don’t wear.
  39. Learn a new language.
  40. Bundle up and take a walk.
  41. Take a class.
  42. Take a class online.
  43. Shop online.
  44. Go to the mall for walking or shopping.
  45. Meditate

The cold weather may feel like it will never be over, but keeping yourself busy can help make that time move faster. Bookmark this page to come back to it, so you can find something to do when you are feeling as though you need some ideas.
If you’re feeling as though you can’t bring yourself to do any of these winter activities for senior citizens, you may want to talk to someone about it. Kendall Van Blarcom is a personal consultant who can help you figure out why you are not motivated to engage in activities. He can help you avoid isolation that many people deal with as they age.

Winter Activities for Senior Citizens

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